We Meet the Puppies

When we initially began working with Jenn Craig at Harborview Goldens, she mentioned that she would have a “Meet the Puppies Day” when they were about six-weeks old. The drive from Williamsport to Erie is 506 miles round trip, a bit over 8 hours in the car and my initial thought was to avoid this if at all possible. On the other hand, whenever I work with someone, I try to be cooperative with their suggestions, even in the face of my own inconvenience or discomfort. As time passed, and I had an opportunity to reconsider, I realized that meeting the puppies was also an opportunity for Jenn Craig to evaluate the buyers so that she could more accurately determine the best fit for puppy and family. So I changed my priorities and decided I would make the trip when “Meet the Puppies” was scheduled. In retrospect, I’m very glad I did cooperate. For this litter, Jenn announced that “Meet the Puppies” would be scheduled when they were five weeks old.

Several weeks in advanced, when I announced that I would go see the puppies, Esther immediately said she was interested and Pam said she would come too. As the day approached Esther invited her friend Amanda (who has had both dogs and horses) to join us.

This opportunity to “Meet the Puppies” turned out to be even more positive than I had expected or even hoped! We were the first of the puppy buyers to arrive at Harborview Goldens; we were on time (no surprise, I try to be prompt). We met Jenn and her husband Steve, their 13 year-old Golden, Bailey, 5 year-old Golden, Naughty, and I noticed an additional 6 Goldens of various ages on the back deck viewing us through the sliding glass doors. Although Naughty did announce our arrival with a few greeting barks, it was totally quiet; no barking at all, even with 17 canines on premises!

Jenn went back into the puppy room and came out with four puppies in her arms, looking like she was carrying an armload of teddy bears. Then she went back for the other four. The pups were 5 to 6 pounds each, they weren’t squirming or complaining, just golden fluff balls. Cute, as cute can be! We each pulled up a bit of hard-wood floor and set ourselves down to puppy level. None of the pups was shy and each pup checked each of us out! It wasn’t long before each of us had a pup in our laps or cradled in our arms! Pebbles, the 2 year-old mother of the brood came in and her demeanor was wonderful. She calmly sniffed us, gave us a brief lick, allowed us to greet her, and just kept an eye on the proceedings. Jenn Craig mentioned Pebbles was stressed – which I could understand – all those strange people handling her kids – but any stress that Pebbles had was not evident to me. She was a wonderful representative for Harborview Goldens and the breeder’s input. As I’ve observed people and their dogs, I’ve discovered that there is often a distinction between well trained, and well behaved. The Harborview Goldens that I saw were both, and Jenn Craig must be complimented for that. It was obvious to me that I was buying excellent genetic potential. 

Pebbles loving up her pups

Four other family groups who were getting pups arrived soon thereafter and the pups went from person to person.  

Pebbles extremely calm, being petted while the pups get a snack!

I don't know who I've got here, each pup is a winner!

Puppies bring smiles to faces

It was obvious that Jenn was the authority in regards to the dogs, and her husband Steve was part of her support team. The pups would piddle out small puddles, and Steve was “Jonny on the spot” and expert in his use of the paper towels and Capture spray (available at Lowes as soon as I’ve used up my pre-purchased Petastic Stain & Odor Remover). The Craigs were wonderful role models.

We stayed for most of the two hour “party” and then it was time to head home. The response from the Parks’ household was absolutely fabulous as was evidenced by the wonderful comments that went round the car during the drive home. When I initially broached the subject of getting a pup at this stage in our lives (the kids had requested a pup years ago – “No” said Dad, four kids in the house was a “Full House”). Pam’s response was acceptance because she knew a Golden retriever was something I had wanted for a long time. I wasn’t sure that Pam would be interested in “Meet the Puppies” and I half expected that if she did come, she would be somewhat aloof. I was therefore a bit amazed that Pam, with a bright smile on her face, had one pup and then another in her arms the whole time, stroking it. On the ride home she mentioned several times how wonderful the puppies were. Of course Esther, and her friend Amanda, were totally captivated by the puppies. Amanda said that if her dad, Neil, had been there, he would have put in his order!

During the ride home, Amanda asked me which pup was my favorite. I liked each and every one. The truth was that each pup was perfect; there was not a bad one in the bunch. I told Amanda that if the pups were distributed by chance, everything probably would work out fine. Even though the pups looked indistinguishable to me, Jenn Craig could tell each and every one apart. At seven weeks she would evaluate each pup and determine which pup would be a best fit for each family. At this juncture I was completely comfortable with whatever her decision would be.

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